Spotting Gym Machine

[Gym-enthusiast]

Hello!

I am a mechanical engineering student at CPIT seeking feedback for a proposed design of gym machine. My self and a colleague are designing a gym machine for the chest region which aids the user in completing repetitions whilst under extreme fatigue. The aim is for the machine to spot the user when necessary for inclined, declined, and flat bench exercises and possibly give a read out of the power exerted and a log of improvements. If possible we would also like to make it for squats however, this will depend on the mechanical design restraints as we would like to focus on the chest area and do it well.

Both members are gym junkies and prefer the use of dumbbells for the targeted chest exercises. Therefore, we want the machine to take on similar characteristics so that there is a natural feel, with even distribution across both sides of the chest, and complete engagement of stabilizing muscles.

It is likely that the machine will not use traditional weight stacks and deliver a driving force through friction or pneumatics to optimize athletic potential in terms of accuracy and control. This would prevent the use of existing weights however, decrease setup times.

Such a product would benefit bodybuilders, other athletes, home users, and the general gym environment.

We are currently analyzing the requirements of the machine and would appreciate any ideas and concerns that members may have. For example we are not sure what weight limit the machine should have. What is a reasonable weight that people would bench during normal exercises (aka not 1 rep max at competition level)?

Any help greatly appreciated

Thank you

From Glenn

[nate225]

What a cool project Glenn! :nod:

Unless it caters for powerlifters & huge mofo bodybuilders I'd say a max weight equivalent to 120-130 should cover 95% of users. I say this knowing I can rep well past that on both flat and incline bench, however with a dumbell like feel and different force curve to barbell exercises I'm sure it'd cover me easily.

Just my 10 cents so interested in others views.

If you need a test dummy in a few months I'd be keen to help out.

[Gym-enthusiast]

Cheers nate255 we are excited about it too!

Initial thoughts were to go around 150kg with a safety factor for people who can't read but it would be easier to do for less weight so 130 like you said might be a good target.

If all goes well would be good to get some feedback on a prototype so cheers for the offer.

[nate225]

150 is a fair bit if you plan to have similar characteristics to dumbells? I can't rep 75kg per side on dumbells and without being arrogant I'm probably one of the strongest in any gym I train in. You'd probably find even at 130 it would only get used by a few, and then only probably on flat bench settings. Most commercial gym chest presses are too light for me unless I'm doing 15+ reps, though you do find the odd one that beats you (or plate load like Hammer Strength). I'm sure most of the previously mentioned machines cater for the majority in the gym however?

[nate225]

Might be worth getting some feedback from the guys who have been PTs or worked in the industry. They've probably seen more gym goers as possibly more chest machines yhan me (tho I'm a bit of a gym tourist! ).

Tom, Opti, Oldbull, Steak, Human performance etc

[Gym-enthusiast]

On that basis I might set the safety weight to 150 (75kg each side) and give it a normal operating limit of 60kgs per side. Because we want to meet the needs of the bodybuilding market it is important that the machine be overcapacity rather than under capacity. When i was at my peak I could do 50kgs each side and I am only small at 75kgs so we felt it was important to know what weight the big lifters do.

At the same time the main focus is to develope a machine that really works the muscles in day to day workouts so 60kgs either side should be more than enough.

It is possible that we will be limited to a specific force upon design stages however, a weight of 60kgs per side will be made a specification of the design.

Cheers again for the feedback nate225

[Gym-enthusiast]

What do people think a good price range would be for such a machine?

[FellowshipOfTheRon]

if you are targeting the bodybuilders, their focus is getting out reps to a tempo with focus on control rather than jerking the weight around so keeping that in mind, some features you might consider:

* possibly some tempo options with either audible or haptic feedback

* build in some common programmes which bbers use such as giant set, drop set, fst-7 etc. built in

* price range : most bbers will train at a commercial gym. not sure what they pay for equipment but durability and safety is a top priority. targetting home users and commercial gyms in the same project might be a bit much to ask with a project like this (unless you'll be designing multiple versions of the product perhaps)

[majorflavazz]

hey bro iv had the same kind of idea aswell but mine is more of a simplistic and very cost effective idea that would help for the benchpress is cool to see other people thinkin the same kind of thing, hope you get something made tho that would be cool to see